Congratulations on winning, Mr. Bayless!!!!
I'm mexican so I've been eating mole, cochinita pibil, and arroz a la tumbada my whole life. It was so refreshing to watch you make other people aware of the fact that mexican food is not just taco bell and burritos. I can't wait to try your food, and I also want to congratulate you and the other competitors for the respect you all showed each other throughout the show. I was happy to watch a reality show without all the jealousy and the drama.
You are an amazing person and an amazing chef Mr.Bayless congratulations
Btw my mother is from Sinaloa, from a small town near The Topolobampo Bay, I was so excited to hear that's the name of your restaurant. =)

CONGRATULATIONS RICK!
You are humble generous kind man and a genius chef of a cuisine that is so misrepresented in our country. I may never get to Chicago, but I've eaten Mexican food in Mexico and will never forget it. You brought it all back to me. You prepare NOT Tex-Mex or Cali-Mex but the real deal.
God Bless you and your charity.

Mole is fine but why oh why not even one dish of cabrito???

Rick's dishes were great and he was through out the best most unique Chef on the show. He is very present and that comes through in everything he did from shopping to cooking. Looking forward to the next Top Chef Masters season

Congratulations! As a Texas girl who has watched you on PBS for years and has put everything including the kitchen sink in a quesadilla, I had a pretty good idea you would win. Many of your recipes are ones I would cook and eat. That reminds me. Hatch peppers are in season and I need to go pick up a supply.

Hi Rick...quick question..you told michael you all agreed to split the prize three ways...did you share the money with the other charities?

Congratulations Rick. It is so nice to have the Sooner State represented by someone of your talent and character. I too enjoyed watching a realty show where the people enjoyed and were nice to each other. Oklahoma City is proud.

Love your spirit and cuisine! Congratulations, Mr. Bayless!

Had a good time watching the show. Shame we didn't get to see more of the 'Sock Moments'. XOXO

Hi Rick,

Congratulations! My sister Patty and I have been fans of your television show, and honestly, the award could not have gone to a nicer guy!

Sincerely, in every way you are a winner.

Congratulations, Chef Bayliss. You totally deserved the win. I will definitely be stopping in to your place the next time I am in Chicago.
Also, congratulations to Bravo for putting on a show that didn't rely on back biting and fighting. Finally, a show we can all watch that doesn't have to be bleeped.

Congratulations, Rick!
I love Top Chef, but when we heard you were on TC Masters, my husband and I went nuts, knowing from day one you would prevail!
We are both teachers, and our dream trip was to head from Minneapolis to Chicago to eat at Topolobampo. We had the meal of our lives! Your chicken soup was pristene, the ceviche trio made us hum, the soft shell crab entree was delicious, margaritas that set a new bar, and the decor was lovely. Your Mexican Everyday book is cracked with pages falling out and covered in different sauce stains in our house. Often we say, "What do you want to eat tonight?" and the response is often, "Pull out the Rick." My husband made the chicken soup for his colleagues at a pot luck, and a woman from Mexico actually started crying, saying it reminded her of home!
This is your magic, Rick, and we thank you for bringing the authentic flavors and Mexican culture to our table and into our lives!
You are wonderful!

Congratulations Chef Bayless! Your humble and grateful attitude complimentS your flawless cooking style. Also, hats off to Bravo, GREAT SHOW!!!!

Congratulations Rick! I'm a longtime fan of Mexico One Plate at a Time, and while Hubert and Michael always impress, I admit I was pulling for you. Thank you for showing both on Top Chef Masters and through your other work that Mexican Cuisine is special and sophisticated.

Rick,

Have loved you always. You are a remarkable chef and human being. I love trying new recipes for my family when i have time to experiment. Mole is always a hit with the children and adults. Congrats to you and your worthwhile charity. Our local farmers market is small, but definitely worth the trip because I know everything is local and very fresh. Good luck to you and yours.

Kerry
Taylor, MI

CONGRATULATIONS RICK BAYLESS!! on winning top chef masters,you truly deserved it. I knew your were going to win from the beginning. All 3 chefs were wonderful,but there can only be one Master and thats you. Thank you for your love of mexico and its food. It's truly an honor to have you represent mexico's food. You are truly a wonderful person inside and out. Thank you Bravo T.V ,it was such a wondrful show.

Congratulations, Rick! Before the final episode even started I told my husband that I was sure you were going to take home the gold! That's because week after week you consistently wowed the judges with your food. And I was right! And I agree with previous poster "Betty"--your kindness & humility even shows through on the TV screen. I liked Michael & Hubert, too, but I'm so happy you won!

I wish you more success in your future. Now I have a reason to go to Chicago--Frontera Grill & Topolobampo. But would you please open a restaurant in Los Angeles?

Congrats to all!

Very,very nice. I wasn't sure what to expect from the Masters, was pleased to see so much talent and comradarie all season.

Rick Bayless - gracious and humble. He was a riot to watch - "That's mean." was the best! I only hope that I can have the priviledge of tasting his food sometime.

Hubert and his passion for cooking really show. It's cool that he's such a great mentor to everyone who works for him. Hubert killed it in the dorm room episode.

I also liked hearing the respect they would give the top chef's in the other shows.

It is clear that Rick and Hubert are fantastic people. Wish I could hang out with them - I'd be a better person because of it.

And I agree with a comment earlier - I could do without the Atlanta Housewives crap. Ugh.

Congrats Chef Bayless! I'm elated that you won. I love Mexican food and I am looking forward to experiencing your Mexican cuisine. It's exciting to see a chef who's so passionate about it.

Congrats, Rick on the win, and more importantly congrats on the all of the chefs for showing the professional attitude and the respect for year other. It was great to see a program where the contestants are good people with no cut throat drama. Each of the chefs wanted to win, but also wanted the best for each other. I loved watching all of you having such a great time in doing something you love to do. Wish there could be more shows like this..Again Congrats...

I am so happy that you won, Rick!!!! You were my favorite from the beginning! Congratulations, you totally deserve it...you are obviously a wonderful chef and person overall :)

For once it seems a reality show (from start to finish) got it right.

Congratulations, Rick. Bravo, thanks for a wonderful show.

My introduction to authentic Mexican cooking was also a mole that I ate at the Fonda San Miguel in Austin Texas 30+ years ago. I own 4 of your cookbooks - including the one co-authored with your daughter... I bought it for the Peruvian recipes (lived there). I love your cooking style and techniques and am inspired every time I open one of your cookbooks and read a recipe. I routinely make banana leaf wrapped tamales from your recipe. You are the best and I am so happy you won Top Chef.

Chef Rick,I am HAPPY you won! I was so nervous waiting for the final vote but since then I haven't stopped smiling. Congratulations and hooray for your charity. I have your books and loved your PBS show.

Congrats, Rick!!! For once, it seems every contestant finished exactly where he/she should have...all the way down to the winner. I had such misgivings about TCM and I was wrong. What a wonderful show.

Congratulations Rick!!

I''m so happy for you. You had me, from the statement, "That's mean."

The three of you showed tremendous grace and the lack of egos was so refreshing. That shows that being a great chef is not about status, but talent. And humility goes a long way. I'm sure your stafff loves working for you.

I loved your smile. You kindness just "exudes" even through the tv screen. I couldn't have been happier.
Your family and your staff must be just bursting with pride. I watch your shows on PBS all of the time. I've learned so much about Mexican cooking from you. REAL mexican cooking , that is.

Enjoy the gold. You deserved it.

Congrats to Rick! He deserves it so much because (though they're all fab) he has such a conscientious and humble work ethic. His whole personality conveys the passion and rich roots he has for his Frontera non-profit organization, and how he treats others and his own workers with such dignity and respect, even if they're doing something contrary to his liking.

Mr. Rick Bayless congratulations!!! How fantastic is that win? not just for you but for all of the mexicans and for Mexico. We truly feel we have won too. Talking about your many important dishes in your career, I could not help but feel proud of my culture and food. Your black mole reminded me of my grandma who used to do the best mole negro ever...mind you I have not tried yours, but I think I would still go with grandma's who in heaven was cheering for you too not doubt. We thank you for all your love to mexican food and Mexico. We love you and we second your Viva Mexico!!!

Congratulations, Rick! You are a first-class chef and more than that, a first class person. I yelled so loud when you won, my husband had to come in the room I was in to see if I was okay (LOL). This is a well-deserved honor

I don't even know what Master Chef is, but my aunt Gail was telling me about it last week and giving an enthusiastic Rick Bayless play by play. My mom Mary Lou just called me with the news that you've won. We're all about Oklahoma roots and the success of family. As for me, the best Mexican food I've ever tasted was brunch at your Frontera Grill in Chicago on a visit many years ago. After that experience, you were already Master Chef. Well done.

Way to go Rick!!!! I LOVED the show and was very pleased with the final three. I must admit, I was hoping you would win Rick. Mexican food has always been my favorite and does not get the respect it deserves as flavorful, exciting and coming from a beautiful culture.
Congrats again Rick. You should be very proud.

Kellie in Cleveland

Wish I had known about Fronterra last year when I had a chance to visit Chigago. Sigh.

Congrats Chef!

You had such a great humble attitude on the show, it was so inspiring to watch you cook. I also liked Hubert a lot too, though. This show was great and makes me want to try to cook more as well. Now I have to come visit your restaurant in Chicago.

Best wishes! : )

Alas! The gentle MAN our home has admired (whose lessons I've spent years studying and implementing from his PBS shows) shares the magic of real, family & ethnic (adoptive as mine, only) cooking on the big screen!

I am so proud that he won. I favored all three finalists (good work, Top Chef Masters producers!) but Rick truly Rocks. Each time I watch him, I'm reminded of his many lessons from his family roots that he taps into. Oaxaca cooking his passion tho he now hails from my former hometown - how authentic a master he is at bringing it to us all and inspiring us to try our hand at cooking real Mexican cuisine. Bravo, BRAVO!

I'd like to hear from Mr Bayless what the Viva Mexico was suppose to mean at the end of the show so its is not taken wrong.

I think the Viva Mexico at the end of the show was uncalled for but not sure what it meant. I would like it explained so its not taken wrong.

I am glad that Rick showcased mole sauce on the most significant challenge of the season. I traveled to Cancun last year and was introduced to mole sauce and had the best tortilla soup. I have newfound respect for Mexican food then, and Rick reinforced that. Bravo, Mr. Bayless.

You are a tremendous credit to the Sooner State. Congratulations on the well-deserved win!

Well, of course Rick was going to win! Frontera is the most fantastic restaurant I've ever eaten at! Congratulations to you, Rick! Great performance throughout, and my only complaint is that you need to put frontera frescos nationwide, since I'm not in Chicago now, I miss the delicious food! (I did get some salsa, though, yum! :) Congrats!

El Maestro de los Maestros gano! Asi se cocina! Viva Rick Bayless!

Congratulations Mr. Bayless! My favorite from the first episode - I have had the pleasure of watching your PBS show since I was a child! Your in-depth knowledge about Mexican cuisine has always amazed me!
Regards!

Congratulations, Rick! I liked every chef on this show, and it was really great to see the mutual respect you had for each other. I lived in Mexico four years and ate amazing, fabulous food--from street vendors to high-end restaurants. I'm glad you brought that cuisine to this challenge!

Chef Bayless, you were fantastic to watch on the show! I've requested all of your cookbooks from the libray and I can't wait to try some of your recipes. Felicidades!

Chef Bayless
I am a true admire of your cuisine, I been following your career since you use to make the show for PBS, you are a true master of Mexican Food. Thank you for bringing the true taste of Mexico. Congratulations.

PERFECTION

Bravo Maestro !!!!

Felicidades usted es un Maestro en Comida Mexicana tiene merecido este Titulo Maestro de Maestros !!!!

It was so cool to see Rick finally win after coming in second so many times. Rick, thank you for showing that Mexican cuisine isn't just tacos and burritos. You also showed your personality through your food; gracious, classy, warm with a little spice. Holy mole indeed!

CONGRATULATIONS MR.BAYLESS !!!!

Congrats Chef Rick! I was pulling for you. I don't think your passion can be matched, and that's why you are such a meticulous and awesome chef. I'm very happy for you, your charity (love the cause!), and your supporters at home. And yes, I'm sure your Dad would be super proud. :)

I was a little disappointed that Hubert was cut first. I thought he was a close runner-up to you. But aside from that, the show was amazing! The talent exhibited in the final episode almost seemed like it could trump all other Top Chef shows put together. We all loved seeing what you guys can do. Thanks for a great season!

Best wishes and enjoy your win!

Congratulations Rick! I thought all three of you were amazing. I was rooting for you because your personality always shined through. You are an amazing person and amazing Chef! I wish you the best in all you do!